News

Technicians at the Alaska State Crime Lab recently identified the human remains found in a shoe that washed up near the Seawalk in 2020. (Courtesy photo / Department of Public Safety)

How it works: crime lab specialist talks ID’ing human remains

Deep muscle tissue is best for identifying workable DNA.

Technicians at the Alaska State Crime Lab recently identified the human remains found in a shoe that washed up near the Seawalk in 2020. (Courtesy photo / Department of Public Safety)
Ice on Mendenhall Lake is never completely safe to walk on, said a Capital City Fire/Rescue officer. That’s because of widely varying and hard-to-discern conditions under the surface., but common sense can mitigate some risk. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Easy on the ice: CCFR recommends caution around icy lakes

The safest way to not fall through thin ice is to not go out onto it in the first place.

Ice on Mendenhall Lake is never completely safe to walk on, said a Capital City Fire/Rescue officer. That’s because of widely varying and hard-to-discern conditions under the surface., but common sense can mitigate some risk. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The city eased requirements for masks for vaccinated individuals indoors on Dec. 13, 2021. Masks will still be requireed in all City and Borough of Juneau facilities. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

City lowers community risk level

Very little will change, save that the vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks indoors.

The city eased requirements for masks for vaccinated individuals indoors on Dec. 13, 2021. Masks will still be requireed in all City and Borough of Juneau facilities. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The Juneau headquarters of Alaska Light & Power on Dec. 9. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Grant process leaves city high and dry, but electrification plans still on deck

When will their ship come in?

The Juneau headquarters of Alaska Light & Power on Dec. 9. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Ginger Buck and her daughter, Miranda (11), select a name from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree at Mendenhall Mall on Dec. 11. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

‘Juneau is always very generous’: Toy drives underway

Opportunities to share holiday cheer abound.

Ginger Buck and her daughter, Miranda (11), select a name from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree at Mendenhall Mall on Dec. 11. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Holly Johnson, left, and Laura Martinson were named Juneau’s Citizens of the year on Thursday night. Martinson, who owns Caribou Crossings, and Johnson, president of Wings Airways, received the award in recognition of their leadership of the Protect Juneau’s Future committee. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Chamber names Citizens of the Year

Martinson, Johnson share honor

Holly Johnson, left, and Laura Martinson were named Juneau’s Citizens of the year on Thursday night. Martinson, who owns Caribou Crossings, and Johnson, president of Wings Airways, received the award in recognition of their leadership of the Protect Juneau’s Future committee. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Cities hope to see full state budget, bolstered by federal funds

School bond debt.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This photo shows vehicles at the city impound lot in Lemon Creek on Dec. 9, 2021. Space is perpetually at a premium in the impound lot, which holds vehicles for all sorts of reasons.

Junk car disposals are on the rise, city seeks to do more

Clearing abandoned vehicles from city property can be admistratively tricky.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This photo shows vehicles at the city impound lot in Lemon Creek on Dec. 9, 2021. Space is perpetually at a premium in the impound lot, which holds vehicles for all sorts of reasons.
This January 2020 photo shows the Seawalk in front of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Labor on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Authorities ID remains found near Seawalk

Police say foot belonged to man who went missing in 2017.

This January 2020 photo shows the Seawalk in front of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Labor on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Dorothy Thomson stands while giving a thumbs down as Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of Alaska Address during the 2019 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. The 2019 convention was the last in-person convention as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the meeting to go digital for the second year in a row. (Eric Engman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

‘Relationships are key’: AFN Convention brings leaders to the table

All levels of leadership.

Dorothy Thomson stands while giving a thumbs down as Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of Alaska Address during the 2019 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. The 2019 convention was the last in-person convention as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the meeting to go digital for the second year in a row. (Eric Engman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)
A student pets Wilson, a therapy dog, in a hallway at French Middle School, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Topeka, Kan. The dog is one of the tools designed to relieve stresses faced by students as they return to classrooms amid the ongoing pandemic. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Health officials: Youth mental health issues, suicides worsened by pandemic

Anxiety and depression.

A student pets Wilson, a therapy dog, in a hallway at French Middle School, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Topeka, Kan. The dog is one of the tools designed to relieve stresses faced by students as they return to classrooms amid the ongoing pandemic. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Last year’s haul of donated socks to the Mountain View Senior and Disable Housing is laid out on a table in this undated courtesy photo from Briana Heller, the home’s services coordinator. Heller said the home is running a donation drive for socks and slippers as Christmas gifts for the home’s 67 residents. (Courtesy photo / Briana Heller)

Home seeks slippers and socks for seniors

Slippers for seniors.

Last year’s haul of donated socks to the Mountain View Senior and Disable Housing is laid out on a table in this undated courtesy photo from Briana Heller, the home’s services coordinator. Heller said the home is running a donation drive for socks and slippers as Christmas gifts for the home’s 67 residents. (Courtesy photo / Briana Heller)
Performers in the Gold Town Theater’s virtual 2020 Christmas Extravaganza stand ready. This year’s event will involve performers traveling from location to location performing smaller sets. (Courtesy photo / Collette Costa)

Gold Town Theater prepares for drive-by Christmas Show

Performers will be bringing the show to ticket buyers, traveling all over Juneau this year.

Performers in the Gold Town Theater’s virtual 2020 Christmas Extravaganza stand ready. This year’s event will involve performers traveling from location to location performing smaller sets. (Courtesy photo / Collette Costa)
Sam Adams, stands with a holiday decoration at the Mendenhall Mall on Nov. 24. Since 2014, she has volunteered her time to set up a collection that includes thousands of miniature, holiday-themed buildings complete with small, festive figurines in a locally donated space. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

It takes a village to create a holiday tradition

Lots of relocating has Juneau’s Holiday Village on the move

Sam Adams, stands with a holiday decoration at the Mendenhall Mall on Nov. 24. Since 2014, she has volunteered her time to set up a collection that includes thousands of miniature, holiday-themed buildings complete with small, festive figurines in a locally donated space. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
A Juneau resident was arrested last week for more than a dozen counts of felony child pornography charges. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man arrested on child pornography charges

The man arrested is alleged to have downloaded hundreds of illegal photos and videos to his phone.

A Juneau resident was arrested last week for more than a dozen counts of felony child pornography charges. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy spoke with reporters at the Alaska Governor's Mansion on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, before greeting guests for the traditional Christmas open house. The event was suspended last year due to COVID-19 but was back this year with limited health mitigation rules in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneauites fill Governor’s Mansion as annual open house returns

Kids more interested in cookies than governor.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy spoke with reporters at the Alaska Governor's Mansion on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, before greeting guests for the traditional Christmas open house. The event was suspended last year due to COVID-19 but was back this year with limited health mitigation rules in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Heavy snow and rain fell on Juneau’s Aurora Harbor on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, creating potentially hazardous conditions. City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors officials asked boat owners to keep a careful eye on their vessels as heavy snow and rain is expected through the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

More rain, snow and overnight ice expected

Drive/Boat safe.

Heavy snow and rain fell on Juneau’s Aurora Harbor on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, creating potentially hazardous conditions. City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors officials asked boat owners to keep a careful eye on their vessels as heavy snow and rain is expected through the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This picture shows a trigger lock, which according to local activists, is an inexpensive way to secure guns and help prevent unintentional shootings. (Courtesy photo/Sally Rue)

Local group urges residents to Be SMART about guns

‘Unintentional child shootings are 100% preventable’

This picture shows a trigger lock, which according to local activists, is an inexpensive way to secure guns and help prevent unintentional shootings. (Courtesy photo/Sally Rue)
Jury trials at Dimond Courthouse and elsewhere are expected to occur more often and consistently in the next several months as judges seek to get trials moving once again. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Jury trials set to ramp up with new year

The Sixth Amendment gives all Americans the right to a speedy and public trial by jury.

Jury trials at Dimond Courthouse and elsewhere are expected to occur more often and consistently in the next several months as judges seek to get trials moving once again. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Ed Garity, a vet technician, and Dr. Sam Smith, a veterinarian and owner of Tongass Veterinary Services, tend to a 17-year-old dog on Friday, Dec. 3. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Veterinarian shortage dogs Juneau

Burnout, specialization, high demand and location all factor in.

Ed Garity, a vet technician, and Dr. Sam Smith, a veterinarian and owner of Tongass Veterinary Services, tend to a 17-year-old dog on Friday, Dec. 3. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)